AST Level 1 Avalanche Courses in Hakuba

Why choose our AST1?

Because you'll learn more.

Our courses are well known for being professional, well organised, energetic and fun.

2020

January 6-7-8

February 11-12-13

Group Size

Limited to 8 people

Price

26,000 yen.

The best price in Japan for 2.5 days of training.

The AST 1 is an introductory avalanche course developed by Avalanche Canada. It is designed to give you an entry level avalanche decision making framework for recreational use. It does not train you to work in the avalanche industry. On successful completion you will receive an AST 1 certificate and also be able to move onto more advanced recreational and professional avalanche training within.

Course Duration

To make sure you learn with a full day of backcountry touirng on your course and are not rushed, we deliver the AST1 course over two and half days.Day 1: 4.30pm-7.30pm classroom timeDay 2: morning classroom, afternoon companion rescue training outdoorsDay 3: full day backcountry tour

Includes

Two and a half days of instruction, course text and Avaluator, plus some transport.

What you will learn

We choose to stick the the true AST 1 curriculum for your longer term benefit. What we teach is briefly summarised here. On the field day we will go ski touring and visit at least one well known avalanche path in the Hakuba area to apply your classroom training.

* If you are renting you only need to rent touring skis/splitboard for final day.

Other important info

This course does not include personal emergency mountain rescue insurance. It is your personal responsibility to insure yourself against any expenses incurred if you are injured during the course.

Also, you will likely need to buy a one-ride lift ticket to access backcountry terrain from high in resort areas. These tickets typically cost 1,500 yen. Tips are not customary in Japan and any offered will be politely declined.

It is expected that you have the basic ability to ski/snowboard off-piste terrain with trees. The field day is reasonably strenuous and not suitable for people with injuries.